Freedom of the Borough

Residents in Clitheroe are reminded that several town centre roads will close on Thursday when the Freedom of Ribble Valley is presented to the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

The event will be marked by the signing of an illuminated scroll by civic dignitaries in the Ribble Valley Civic Suite, after which the scroll will be presented to Brigadier Mike Griffiths CBE by Ribble Valley Mayor Lois Rimmer in Market Place, Clitheroe, following a parade through the town centre by 130 soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and Band of the King's Division.

The following town centre roads will be closed to non-essential traffic from 8.45am and all traffic from 10am to accommodate the historic event: Moor Lane, Castlegate, Castle Street, Market Place, York Street, Church Street, King Lane, King Street, Woone Lane (between Eshton Terrace and Moor Lane), Queensway and Lowergate (between Highfield Road and the Emporium).

Residents are also being asked to move their cars from the road closure zone by 8.30am, otherwise they will be towed away free-of-charge to the Highmoor Park Car park in Pendle Road.

Residents can leave their cars at the following car parks: Whalley Road, Peel Street, Lowegate (exit Lowergate by Highfield Road only), North Street, or Chester Avenue.

The parade will start at 10.45am, when the 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, will march from the bottom of Moor Lane to Castlegate, down Castle Street and into Market Place.

Between 11 and 11.20am, Ribble Valley Mayor Lois Rimmer will take a general salute from the battalion. The regiment's commanding officer will then invite the mayor to inspect the troops. The mayor will ask Brigadier Mike Griffiths CBE to accept a scroll conferring Freedom of Ribble Valley on the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. The mayor will then invite onlookers to give the regiment three cheers.

At 11.20am, the battalion will continue its march to the bottom of York Street, where the soldiers will fallout and disarm.

Lancashire Constabulary is asking shopkeepers and members of the public to watch out for unattended bags or packages, or any suspicious activity, during the parade. Anyone who sees anything suspicious is asked to inform a police officer or steward immediately.

Further details for the Press are available from Ribble Valley Council corporate communications unit on 01200 414483 or 07971 978766.